Truck driver killed in accident on I-10 in Arizona

The Trucker News Services

2/28/2013

The driver of a tractor-trailer died after a fiery accident on Interstate 10 at the Broadway Road curve, according to KTAR radio news website in Arizona, ktar.com.

Interstate 10 is closed in both directions as television news footage showed the big-rig's trailer lying on its side on one side of the freeway and the burned-out cab on the other side of the median barrier, the Associated Press reported.

The driver, who was not named, was heading east on the freeway. According to witnesses, the truck hit the median, which was followed by an explosion around 5 a.m., KTAR reported. By 10 a.m. three lanes were re-opened in each direction.

KTAR said the Department of Public Safety was reporting that other vehicles caught in the wake, and several people suffered minor injuries.

Before the lanes reopened, the Arizona Department of Transportation said traffic was backed up on I-10 and westbound US 60 and caused heavy congestion on other roads and highways. The ADOT advised motorists to delay travel if possible and to use alternate routes. Those include the 101 and 202 freeways and local streets, the Associated Press reported.